White House strikes back on Death Star petition

Updated
Sat Jan 12 18:16:05 EST 2013

The White House has dashed the hopes of Star Wars fans across the galaxy by rejecting an official petition calling for the US government to build a Death Star - the fictional, planet-destroying space station featured in the iconic movies.

Over 30,000 people signed a petition calling on the US government to secure resources and funding and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016.

Paul Shawcross, head of the White House budget office's science and space branch, said building a Death Star would simply be too expensive.

"The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $US850,000,000,000,000,000," he said.

"We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.

"The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defence, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon.